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Roasted Jerk Chicken

Roasted Jerk ChickenPrepared in the oven, our Roasted Jerk Chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This recipe is easy to follow and cooks in under an hour, but don’t let the simplicity fool you- this chicken is full of flavor!

Roasted jerk chicken on a serving plate.

WHAT IS JERK?

“Jerk” is often associated with a distinct flavor profile. And while certain spices are commonly included in Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, the term actually describes a method of cooking; “jerking” refers to a Jamaican culinary technique of cooking over an open flame. The jerk flavor we’ve come to know and love is attributed to a surprising ingredient, pimento wood. Pimento trees are native to Jamaica and the wood of choice when building a fire to cook. And wouldn’t you know it? Pimento trees produce allspice berries, one of the main ingredients in jerk seasoning. As the wood burns, natural oils release, producing smoke that infuses grilled meat with deep aromatics.

The result is smoky chicken with tender, juicy inside and crispy, flavorful outside. I attempt to achieve a similar effect by roasting the jerk chicken in the oven.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

  • Jerk Seasoning: I use a combination of spices to make homemade Jerk Seasoning, but you can go the store-bought route with Coleman’s. If you decide to make the homemade seasoning, it will last two months in a sealed mason jar. For this recipe, you will only need two to four tablespoons.
  • Chicken: I use bone-in, skin-on leg quarters, legs, or thighs. You can also roast a whole chicken if you prefer; be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

HOW TO MAKE ROASTED JERK CHICKEN

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 450° F (232° C). Then, combine the ingredients for Jerk Seasoning in a mixing bowl.

Jamaician jerk seasoning is the base for roasted jerk chicken.

Dry the chicken thoroughly using a cloth to remove excess moisture.

Raw chicken in a mixing bowl.

Using a pastry brush, generously coat the chicken with 2-4 tablespoons of jerk seasoning.

Coated chicken lined onto a wire rack.

Lower the heat to 400° F (204° C), then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the chicken onto it. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F (73° C).

Roasted jerk chicken roasting in the oven.

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If you love this recipe, try one of these chicken favorites!  

A roasted jerk chicken drumstick held up by a hand.

CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE ON THE GRILL?

Absolutely, in fact, it’s encouraged! If you can find pimento wood chips, that would take this recipe to the next level.
1. Preheat the grill by setting the burners on high for about 10 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat (set the burners to medium) and grill for 35 to 45 minutes turning occasionally until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F (73° C).

An example of roasted jerk chicken cooked on the grill and served on platter.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take to bake jerk chicken in the oven?

We found a sweet spot roasting the jerk chicken at 400° F (204° C) for 35 to 45 minutes.

Is jerk chicken supposed to be dry?

Yes, but also no. The recipe is for dry rub roasted jerk chicken. As a result, the outside crisps up quite a bit, giving the illusion of the chicken being dry. However, the inside is anything but dry; it is juicy and falls off the bone, but the crispy jerk seasoning skin carries with each bite.

You can also use the jerk seasoning to create a wet sauce for the jerk chicken by combining ingredients like scotch bonnets, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic cloves, and ginger in a food processor– but that’s for another recipe!

YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY:

Crispy, juicy chicken is ready to be served.

Roasted Jerk Chicken

Tressa Jamil
Our roasted jerk chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside; this recipe is easy to follow and cooks in under an hour.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 44 mins
Total Time 54 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Jamaican
Servings 6 people
Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Jerk Seasoning:

For the Chicken:

  • 2-4 pounds chicken, bone-in, skin-on

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450° F (232° C). Then, combine the ingredients for jerk seasoning in a mixing bowl.
  • Dry the chicken thoroughly using a cloth to remove excess moisture.
  • Using a pastry brush, generously coat the chicken with 2-4 tablespoons of the jerk seasoning.
  • Lower the heat to 400° F (204° C), then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the chicken onto it. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F (73° C).

Notes

  • Nutrition Disclosure: The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
 
  • Web Story: Check out our web story for dry-rubbed jerk chicken!

Nutrition

Serving: 2 chicken pieces | Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 156g | Sodium: 919mg | Fiber: 2g
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
Recipe Rating




fede

Monday 23rd of May 2022

The recipe turned out super moist and we loved it. We will make it again.

Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team

Monday 23rd of May 2022

Great! I am happy you enjoyed it!

Bianca

Sunday 22nd of May 2022

I love how easy this was to make! Barely any hands on time :D

Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team

Sunday 22nd of May 2022

We love connivence meals around here!

RJ

Saturday 21st of May 2022

I love how great this chicken dish came out. The flavors are very rich, the skin was crispy and the chicken was moist. What else can you want? Delicious!

Tressa Jamil

Sunday 12th of June 2022

The flavor on the skin is my favorite part!